Niblett's Bluff in the War Between the States by Michael Dan Jones

This is the history of General Alfred Mouton's regiment, the 18th Louisiana Infantry, which he led throughout the War for Southern Independence, from Shiloh to Mansfield. Click on image for more information.

Confederate Guards Response Battalion

History of the one of the hardest fighting Louisiana units during the War for Southern Independence.

1st Louisiana Zouaves

This is the story of one of the most unique and famed Louisiana units in the War for Southern Independence, the 1st Louisiana Zouaves . Made up largely of foreigners from many countries, the men wore the gaudy French Zouave uniform and fought with a fierce determination for the new Southern Republic.

Dick Dowling and the Jefferson Davis Guard

This is the story of one of the most famous and celebrated Confederate units. Click on image for details.

Confederate States Rangers of the 10th Louisiana Infantry

Company K in the War for Southern Independence

Lt. Col. King Bryan of Hood's Texas Brigade

Freedom Fighter for Texas and Southern Independence

The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou by Michael Dan Jones

This is a concise history of the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi from December 26-29, 1862. Also covered are the preliminary cavalry raids of generals Earl Van Dorn and Nathan Bedford Forrest. The book contains maps, photographs and illustrations, bibliography and index.

9th Battalion Louisiana Infantry

This is the history of the 9th Battalion Louisiana Infantry which fought at the Battle of Baton Rouge and the Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana in the War for Southern Independence. The unit took part in the famous charge of Allen's Brigade at Baton Rouge. The men of the unit were fighting in defense of their own home area since most were from East Baton Rouge and nearby parishes. Click on image for more information.

Mouton's Charge at the Battle of Mansfield and the Red River Campaign

This is the story of the famous attack at the Battle of Mansfield, La., April 8, 1864, led by Brig. Gen. Alfred Mouton.

The Vicksburg 28th Louisiana Infantry

Click picture for more information.

The Tiger Rifles: The Making of a Louisiana Legend

The Toughest Fighting Men in the Confederate Army

The Battle of Calcasieu Pass

A history of the May 6, 1864 battle in Southwest Louisiana between two Union gunboats and a diverse group of Confedrates. Click photo for more information.

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Sunday, November 18, 2012

CHARACTERISTICS OF LINCOLN

Abraham Lincoln
(Library of Congress)

[Editor's Note - This is the second in a series of excerpts from

“ABRAHAM LINCOLN AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE R, E. Lee Camp, No. 1, Confederate Veterans, AT RICHMOND, VA., ON OCTOBER 29TH, 1909, BY HON. GEORGE L. CHRISTIAN.” which is in response to Steven Spielberg's movie, "Lincoln," which is a very one sided view, and historically very debatable, presentation.]

CHARACTERISTICS OF LINCOLN.

Of course, within the limits of this paper,
we shall make no attempt to do more than to give some glimpses of the true
character, characteristics and conduct of Mr. Linclon, nor shall we attempt to follow his biographers
in their details of the career and conduct of this enigmatical man.

Ward Lamon
(Library of Congress)

[Ward Hill] Lamon says he was "morbid, moody,
meditative, thinking much of himself, and the things pertaining to himself, regarding
other men as instruments furnished to hand for the accomplishment of views which
he knew were important to him, and therefore considered important to the public. Mr. Lincoln
was a man apart from the rest of his kind. He seemed to make boon companions of
the coarsest men on the list of his acquaintances low, vulgar, unfortunate creatures."

"It was said that he had no heart
that is, no personal attachments warm and strong enough to govern his passions. It was
seldom that he praised anybody, and when he did, it was not a rival or an equal
in the struggle for popularity and power."

"No
one knew better how to damn with faint praise, or to divide the glory of another
by being the first and frankest to acknowledge it." (Lamon, pp. 480-1.)

"He did nothing out of mere gratitude,
and forgot the devotion of his warmest partisans as soon as the occasion for
their services passed." Id., p. 482.

"Notwithstanding his over-weaning
ambition, and the breathless eagerness with which he pursued the objects of it,
he had not a particle of sympathy with the great mass of his fellow-citizens who
were engaged in similar struggles for place." Id., p. 483.

Now mark you, this is what Lamon, his
closest friend, and most ardent admirer, has to say of the "make up" of
Mr. Lincoln. Is this the stuff of which the world's great characters, heroes, martyrs,
and the exemplars for our children are made? Surely it would seem not, and further
comment is deemed unnecessary.